Answer to the Exercise on Chinese Grammar – The Differences Between “不(bù)” And “没(méi)”

Answer: B
In the Chinese language, both “不(bù)” and “没(méi)” can indicate negation. But they are quite different in usage.
“不(bù)” is mainly used to negate facts. Whereas “没(méi)” is generally used for negating a certain experience that has taken place.

Wǒ jīntiān bù chī zǎofàn.
我   今天   不  吃  早饭。

I won’t have breakfast today.
Wǒ jīntiān méi chī zǎofàn.
我   今天   没   吃  早饭。

I didn’t have breakfast today
“没(méi)” and “没有(méiyǒu)” can be used to express the negation of the verb “有(yǒu) to have,” and means “to not have.” It is grammatically incorrect to use “不(bù)” to negate “有(yǒu)” And “没(méi)” is the shortened form of “没有(méiyǒu).” The terms are interchangeable.

Wèishénme wǒ méi (yǒu) nǚ péngyou?
为什么         我  没 （有） 女 朋友？

Why don’t I have a girlfriend?
Wǒ zuìjìn hěn máng, méi (yǒu) shíjiān wán.
我   最近   很   忙，    没（有）  时间    玩。

I have been very busy recently and have had no time to play.
In our test, “我不去(wǒ bú qù), I won’t go” is Chen Wei’s decision, which is a result (i.e. a fact), not a thing that he has experienced. So the first blank is “不(bù).” For the second blank, the correct response is translated to “I don’t haven time.” The negative of “有(yǒu)” or to have is “没有(méiyǒu)” or “没(méi)” not “不(bù),” So the answer is B.

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